Hand brake



AApril 19, 1932.

,R.J. OLANDER HAND BRAKE Hmmm@ l Patented pr. `19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT oFF-ica J. OLANlDE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB T 'W'. .H. m, INGQOI CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 9F DELAWARE Harm'A nnaxn `A'pplioatinm illed August .1,

This invention relates to improvements in hand brakes.

One object of the invention is to provide in a hand brake mechanism of the powermultiplying gear type especially adapted for use in connection wlth railway cars, including a chainwinding drum, manually= actuated rotary means forro'tating the drum, and releasable clutch means operatively connectf ing the drum to the actuating means, wherein the interengaging. parts of the clutch means are so ,designedthat binding thereof is prevented, thus assuring easy and quick releasing action of the same. y

A more spe'cic object ofthe invention is to provide ac'lutch mechanism for a' brake of the character indicated in the preceding'paragraph, wherein the clutch elements are rotatable and are provided with cooperating interengaging lingers having the Aengaging portions thereof so arranged that the d rivingforces are all transmitted in directlons substantially normal to the radii of the axis of rotation of. the clutch elements, and whereinthe cooperating clutchfaces are also inclined lengthwise with respect to the axis of rotation of the clutch elements, in such a direction that the tension of the'bralre chain when the brakes are tightened assists inthe releasing action of the clutchl means. f

Other objects of the invention will more -clearly appear from the description and Leal end' wall-.of a railway vrcar to which my claims-hereinafter following.

In the'drawings, forming a part of` this specification, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through my improved hand brake mechanism' illustrating lthe Same applied to the end wall of a railwaycar, the section being in a plane'parallel to said end wall. Figure 2 isavertical, transverse, sectional view correspondimg` substantially to the line 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side elevational view of my improved hand brake .mechanism looking from 'the left in Figure 1. And Figure 4 is an enlarged, transverse, vertical, sectional view corresponding to the line 4-4 of Figure 1' and illustrating the details of the improved clutch mechanism. l

^ In said drawings, 10 designates the verti- 1930. Serial No. 472,235.

improved brakev mechanism is secured, the operative parts of the handbrakev mechanism being preferably enclosed within a housf in 1 In carrying out my invention, I preferably form the housing 'of two parts, .s0 as to render the operating parts of the brake*V mechanism accessible.; The housing comprises amain section 12 and a' cover Section 13. The main section 12 has a vertically disposed back wall`14, a horizontal bottom wall 15, and vertically disposed side wallmembers 16 and 17. The side wall members 16 and 17 are of lesser lheight than the vertical i back Wall 14, as clearly shown in Figures y1, 2 and 3. The section 12 ofthe housing is open at the bottom, on the righthand side thereof, as viewed in Figure 1, the opening being indicated -by 18, and accommodating the brakechain 19 for movement.

The brake chain, Vwhich. is shown broken away, is connected to the brake mechanism proper of the railway car, not shown,-in the usual well known manner. The bottom section of the housing is also provided with a vertical Ypartition wall 2O correspondin in height to the Walls 16l and 17 and exten 'ng in a lane at right angles to the back wall of said yousin section. The partitionwall 2() divides the ousing section 12 into two compartments, the lefthand compartment, as-

viewed in. Figure 1, serving to house certain parts of the actuating means.- 'Each of the walls 16, 17 and 20 of the housing section 12 is provided with a partial bearing member 21 at the upper end thereof, the bearing mem.-

bers 21 being in axialalinement. The back wall 414 of the housin section 12 is `provided with securing ears or u 22-22, two of said lugs'- proj actingA upwar y from-,said wall and the remaining lug projecting ,.downwardly.- The housing section 12 may be "secured to the end wall 10 of the 'car by anyv suitable means, and as herein shown is secured b' rivets extending throu hthe ears 22 an saidv wall.

-Centr'ally of t "e back Wall 14 at the ,upper edge thereof a' forwardly projecting horlzonf esti tallug 23 is provided, by means of which the cover section 13 is supported at the top thereof. The cover has side walls 24;

- flanges 31-31 and 25, which are disposed vertically and are 1n vertical alinement with the walls 16 and 17 respectively of the housing section 12. The

ousing section 13 also has a curved front wall 26, which terminates in a horizontal top wall 27 at the upper end of the housing. The top wall 27 overlies the lu 23 of the back wall 14 and is secured theretoy means of a rivet or other securing element. The cover section 13 is also provided wall 28, which is in alinement with the partition wall 20 of the section 12 and forms together therewith a continuous partition member between the two chambers of the housing proper. The walls 24, and 28 are provided with partial bearing members 29--29 at the bottom ends thereof which register with the bearing members 21 of the main section 12 of Ccomplete ea ring members for a purpose hereinafter pointed out. The partition walls 20 and 28of the two housing'sections are provided with arc shaped projecting flanges 30-30 at the righthand side thereof,as viewed in Figure 1, adjacent the partial bearing members and together form a continuous annular bearing of larger diameter than the adjacent bearing formed by the partial bear- 111g members.

laterally projecting exterior securing ears or by which the two sections are secured together, rivets or other similar sccuring means being employed. The bearing openings of the bearing members lformed in the walls andV partition members of the Vtofl) and bottom sections of the housing are a suitably reinforced by annular ribs surroundin said openings. The reinforcingl ribs of t e bearing opening at the righthan side of the housing, as viewed in Figure 1, are thickened as shown, thereby forming in e'ect a boss member 32. The boss member 32 has the sections thereof provided with an interior annular groove 33, within which a cover disc or plate 34V is secured, closing the boss and also serving. as a bearing or wear plate, as hereinafter ointed out.

' a lever actuated cam My improved hand er comprises broadl A; aworm wheel sliding clutch member rake mechanism propa chain winding drum a worm element C; a D a clutch spring E; means F; and an operating hand wheel G. i

The chain winding drum A is in the form of a hollow casting having the chain Winding section thereof of At the righthand end, ythe drum A is ofcylindrical exterior cross section, thereby providing a bearing element 35 journaled within the boss 32. At the opposite end, the drum memberis op'en, as mostclearly shown in Figure 1`,

and is provided .with acylindrical bearing portion 36 of larger diameter `thantheybearing portion 35th'ereof, saidbearingportion with a vertical partition the housin and together with the latter-form The side walls of the top and r bottom housing sections-are provided withA .bearing portion 4T ofthe shaft substantially conical form;

vwheel B, said hub 36 being journaled within. the bearing opeI1-.y

ing provided by the curved ribs 30--30. To the right of the bearing portion 36, the drum has an exterior guide rib or flange 37 for guiding the chain 19 while it is being wound on the drum. The innermost link of the chain '19 is fixed to the drum by meansof a securing pin 38 extending through the flange 37 and a spaced lug 39 on the drum. Inwardly of the bearing portion 35, the drum has an interior annular rib 40 providing an aerial guide opening for a purpose hereinafter pointed out.

The worm Wheel B is mounted within the lefthand chamber of the housing, as seen in Fi ure 1 the samebeing provided with cy-' lin rical bearing members 41-41 at opposite sides of th'e hub thereof, which are j ournaled in the bearing openings provided by the partial bearing members in the partition Walls of the housing and in the end Wall sections 17 and 25 thereof.

The Worm C is formed integral with a shaft member 42, whichV is journaled Within the bottom of the lefthand compartment of the housing, as seen in Figure 1, and supported so as to mesh withthe teeth of the Worm Wheel B. Immediately adjacent the threaded portion of the worm C, the shaft 42 is of reduced diameter, as clearly shown in 'Figure 2. At the rear end, the shaft 42 has a cylindrical bearing portion 43 of atleast as 'great a diameter as the threaded portion of which bearing poil-tion is journaled face. The opening is closed y a cover plate 46, which is secured to the offset section 44 of i the wall by means of a pluralit of cap screws. At the outer end', the sha 42 is of smaller diameter than the bearing portion 43 thereof, as indicated at 47. The cylindrical 1n a bearing opening 48 provided in the front wall of the section 12 of the housingl The bearing opening is preferably reinforced by outer and inner annular ribs or tianges, as

most clearly shown in Figure 2. Immediatel adjacent the bearing portion 47, the sha is provided with an annular retainin and bearmg rib 49 which normally abuts the inner end of the interior reinforcing rib of.

As shown 1n Figure the bearing opening 4 8; 2, the'annular flange 49 is spaced anapprethreads of the worm member C.

The slidingclutch member Dhas a section slidable within the portion being provided with an'axial opening-'51 of square cross section within which the portion 50 of theclutch piember D Ets andis reciprocable. Inwardly e amlple bearing suris journaled i Iii) ciable distance from the front end ofthe Worm of substantially .square shape 50 which is .1'55

hub'portion-of the worm clutch finger, which of the uare portion 50, the clutch member is provide with a plurality of radially ro- ]ecting clutch arms or .fingers 52--52 w ich engage within slots 53--53 provided within the left-hand end portion of the drum A, as viewed in Figure 1. VThe clutch n ers 5 2 and the coo etat-ing slots 53 are pre four in num r, as clearly shown in Figure 4. Each clutch finger is provided with a clutching or driving ace 54, which is substantially radial to the axis of rotation of the clutch member but is inclinedlen hwise of said axis, as clearly indicatedin i res land' 4, the same being inclined away 15m said axis in a righthand direction, as viewed in Figure 1. The f ace at the opposite side of the is indicated by 55, is preferably disposed in a plane parallel to the axis of the clutch member. Each slot 53 of the chain winding drum isrovided with o posed walls 56 and 57 whic are respective y parallel to the faces 54-and 55 of the corre- A clutch portion,

sponding finger 52. kEach of the clutch fingers 52 is of lesser width than the corresponding slot 53, whereby substantial clearance is'provided between the wall 57 of each slot and the face 55 of the corresponding cooperating finger 52. To the right of the sliding clutch member D is provided with a cy'lndricalaxialguide arm 58 of such a diameter as to fit the opening defined by the rib 40 of the drum A and beslidingly guided thereby. The-.clutch vsprin E is interposed between the clutch section o the clutch member and the rib 40 of the chain winding drum and surrounds the guide'stem or arm 58 and normally maintains the clutch fingers 52 in clutching engagement with the slots of the drum; Immediately adjacent the slotted portion of the drum, the interior diameter is such, as clearly shownin Figure 1, that the to disengagethe c portion' of (lil clutch fingers 52 of the member D are freely rotatable therein when the clutch is shifted to the right, as viewedin Figure 1,

the clutch member D normally projects outwardly of the'corresponding side wall of the housing and `bears on the clutch operating cam leverF. The lever Fis pivotally securedto the housing section 12 by h the right 1n the slots. 53 and dlsengaged therefrom. When the clutch means has been dis- 'l the chain winding drum'A is freev means of a pivot bolt 59 extending throng projecting supporting lugs 60-60 on the-wall 17. Above the pivotportion thereof,v as

viewed in Figurev 1, the' operating lever F is provided with a cam head or finger' 61, which.'

enga with he outer end of the sliding. clu memberY D. The operatin hand wheel G is' secured'to'the outer en of the shaft 42 which carries the worm element C,- the .outer 'end ofthe shaft having a portion 62 of square cross 'sectionz whichis tapered as shown, and fits withina srmlar'opening in the hub of the' hand wheel. The hand wheel 1s preferably locked to the shaft 42 by means of erably l the han as viewed in Figure 1, the-A member I utcli fingers. The square to rotate with respect to the worml wheel B,

thereby permittinlthe chain to unwind and release. Inasmuc'h as l drum are entirely dislll section 12 by engaging the bearing portions A ter the jworm has with. is then assembled with the housing of the drum and worm wheelwithin the cooperating partial .bearing members of the housing to the section 12, the bearing members of this section bein engaged over the bearing portions` of the dgrum and worm wheel. Before the housing section 13 is attached, the cover or bearing disc 34 is placed within the groove of the boss 32, whereby theboss .is closed when thehousing sections arcsecured to ether. The operating lever F -and wheel G are then attached to the housing and shaft 42 respectively. The opleration of my improved hand brake mechthe brakes is as follows:

anism in tightenirg n 1s rotated 1n a clockwlse The hand wheel direction, tating the worm C in a corres onding direction and causing rotation o the worm wheel D in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figurel 2. Inasmuch a-s the clutch member D is held in clutching engagement with the drum by the spring E, at this time, the chain winding drumwill be rotated with the worm B and the chain wound thereon. As will be evident, during the chain tightening operation, backwardmota'tion of the hand wheel is prevented due to the enormous friction existing between the cooperating threads -of the worm wheel and the worm element.

To release the brakes quickl the lever F is pulled to the left, as viewe in Figure 1, thereby swinging the c amfinger or head 61 o n the member to the right, as viewed in 'Figure 1, against the tension of the spring E. The

section. The cover section 13 of the e `housing is then applied by securing the stem as viewed in Figure '1, thereby ro- A ivot bolt and forcing theA clutch I clutch fingers 52 will thus bc displaced to the'brakes to qui the. worm connected when the clutch is disengaged running of .the chain-winding drum is had without rotation. of the hand wheel G, thereby' protecting `the` due to spinning of the hand w eel;-

\ To ease oi or back wheel' G is operated in a contra-clockwise diwheel an brakeman a ainst injuryv 'i up the brakes', the hand n l rection, as viewed` in Figure 1, while the clutch member D is in clutching engagement with the chain winding drum.

As will be. evident upon reference to Figure 1, the inclined cooperating faces of the clutch fingers and the walls of the slots of the chain winding "drum provide for easy release of the clutch member.' The tension of the brake chain when ti litened is in such a direction that the inclinegwalls of the slots 53 of the drum will tend to Wedge the clutch v iiiigers 52 to the right, as viewed in Fi ure l 7 by the Wedging engagement thereof with -the inclined' cooperating faces of said fingers.

After the clutch member D has been disengaged from the drum and tlie brakes have been fully released and the drum comes to a rest, the-action of the spring E will force the clutch member D to the left, as viewed in Figure l, thereby automatically re-engagingl the clutch fingers within the slots ofvthe I drum. The fact that the slots are of greater Width than the clutch fingers facilitates this re-engaging action. In case the clutch lingers do not properly register with the clutch s'lotsof the chain winding drum when the drum comes to rest, a slight rotation of the handwheel will bring the clutchngers in proper alinement with the slots to effect re-engageinent of these members.

rom the preceding description taken in connection with the drawings, it will be evident that I'have provided a very eilicientl clutch mechanism in connection with la power multiplying hand brake comprising a driving member and a chain winding drum,

which areconnected bya releasable clutch of rotation of the clutch member.

mechanism lies in means. vFurther, by providing clutch iingers which have shoulderedengagement with clutch means on the drum .presentingA cooperating engaging faces, which are substantially radial to the axis ofl rotation of the clutch member and drum, ea'sy release of the clutch is assured, inasmuch as the driving forces are all normal to the radii of the axis Another important advantage of my improved clutch the releasing action produced by' the cooperating wedging engagement of the driving faces of the clutch elements.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider. the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the sccpe of the claims appended hereto.

claim:

1. In a hand brake'mechanism, the combination with a hollow, rotary chain tightening drum having internal clutch projections; of manuallyactuated rotary operating means; releasable manually actuated clutch means operatively connecting said element and operating means, saidvclutch means in- 'applied by the pull inent of manually ing means for rotating said element in chainv cluding a rotatable member extending into said hollow drum, said member having peripheral clutch projections having shouldered engagement with the projections of the drum on faces inclined lengthwise to the axis of rotation of said elements in a direction to urge said members apart due to the force ofthe chain in brake releasing direction; and means for operating said clutch means.

2. In a clutch mechanism, the combination with a rotary element adapted to transmit power; of manually actuated rotary operating means for rotating said element in one direction; releasable manually actuated clutch means operatively connecting said element and operating means, said clutch means including a pair of rotary clutch members having interengaging clutch fingers provided. with cooperating radially disposed engaging faces inclined to the axis of rotation of said members in a direction tending to wedge lsaid clutch members apart upon a force being applied to the rotary element tending to rotate the same in a direction r'e- Verse to said iirst named direction; and lever means for actuating said clutch means.

3: In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary brake tightening eleactuated rotary operattightening direction; releasable manually actuated clutch means operatively connecting said element and operating means, said clutch means including a pair vof rotary clutch members, said clutch member being axially movable with respect to each other and having interengaging clutching projections having cooperating clutch faces disposed radially to the 'axis'of rotation'of said members and inclined lengthwise of said axis of rotation in a direction tending to wedge said clutch members ing applied to the rotary element tending to rotate the same in chain.unwinding direction; and lever means for actuating said clutch means.

4. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary hollow chain winding drum having interior clutch shoulders; of a worin wheel, said drum and wheel being rotatable about a common axis, said wheel having a square opening axially thereof; a'clutch member slidable with respect to the drum and wheel, said member having a square section slidably fitting the opening of the worm wheel, said member having a portion thereof extending vinto the hollow drum, said portion having radial clutch fingers engaglin,

apart upon a force being with the shoulders of said drum; spring Lau-Leos wheel; and manually actuated means for rotatin said worm. .Y

5. n a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a chain winding drum 5 element; of a rotary driving element, said drum .element and driving' element being in axial alignment; a clutch :member fixed to one of said elements; a cooperating movable clutch member slidable axially m of said elements and connected to the other element for rotation therewith, each of said clutch members having cooperating spaced projections, the spaces between said projections being o greater width than the pro- 15 jections, each of said projections having a face on one side substantially parallel to the axis of rotation'of the clutch members and a face on the opposite side inclined lengthwise with respect to the direction of axial 'en sliding movement of said movable member, said inclined faces ofthe projections of the two members engagin with each other to establish drivi relatlon between thev driv-` ing elementan drum element; and a cam 25 operated lever` means engaging-said movable clutch member for sliding the same axiall to engage said inclined facesA of the, clutc projections of said member with the inclined v faces of the clutch projections of the' other :0' member.

In witness that-I claim the forging I have hereunto subscribed my name s 29th da'y of July 1930.

' ROLAND J. OLANDER. 

